Northern Myanmar - Myanmar (Burma) - page 568

cheapest tours usually cost from around $150 per person per day (minimum four days)
plus flights to Putao. Tour package fees generally include food, permits and excursions
and/or treks.
In the dry season, an appealing part-day activity is a boat trip along sections of the
deep green Malikha River alternating between rapids and calm pebble-bottomed shal-
lows and passing beaches, sculpted rocks, unspoilt villages and rainforest jungle-sec-
tions. When water levels are higher, white-water rafting is a possibility. This might be
combined with an interesting excursion to Machanbaw (40 minutes' drive from Putao).
With an attractive setting beside the mirror-calm Malikha River, Machanbaw was the dis-
trict's former colonial administrative centre and retains a well-spaced scattering of older
British-era buildings.
Tours typically include some trekking. Even for just a two-day walk you'll probably
get porters, a good cook and accommodation provided en route whether camping or in a
very basic village homestay or cabin. Longer treks include a 14-day hike to the peak of
11,926ft Mt Phon Kan Razi , for views over the Myanmar Himalaya and the Mishimi
Hills of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. For an excellent visual impression of the
route's attractions and challenges see www.hsdejong.nl/myanmar/putao .
Don't underestimate the rigour of hiking here. Even the shortest loop includes long
days of fairly strenuous gradients and a high chance of leeches, and you'll need to be
prepared for damp, cold weather.
Sleeping & Eating
In coming years, a major expansion in facilities can be expected if Putao is developed in-
to Myanmar's ecotourism gateway. For now, however, unless you're allowed to stay at
the basic 'army' guesthouse ( www.traveltomyanmar.com/hotel_putao.htm ) , all tours start
and finish with at least one night at either the stunning but massively expensive Malikha
Lodge ( www.malikhalodge.net ; r for two nights $3000) , around an hour's drive from Putao, or
at the more affordable Putao Trekking House ( www.putaotrekkinghouse.com ) , a perfectly
decent place but with some inconsistencies and indifferent food served in a glaringly lit
dining hall. The cabin rooms are designed so that the small verandahs face a central lawn
rather than the distant mountain horizon.
Getting There & Away
AIR